Thomas Clarke Luby was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1822, the son of Episcopal minister Reverend James Luby. At age 18, Thomas Clarke graduated from Trinity College, and afterward studied law at the Temple in London, but went on to become a journalist. A fervent advocate of Irish liberation, he joined Daniel O'Connell's Repeal Association to try to repeal the 1801 Act of Union between England and Ireland. When the repeal campaign failed, he joined the Young Ireland movement and consequently took part in the 1848 uprising. In 1858, Luby helped found the Irish Republican Brotherhood, known as the "Fenians," with the avowed purpose of overthrowing English rule in Ireland and establishing an Irish Republic. In 1863, Luby traveled to the United States to formalize the relationship between the Irish Fenians, led by James Stephens and himself, and the American Fenians led by James O'Mahony. As a result, the American Fenians became subordinate to the Irish and remained so for the duration of their existence.
Luby eventually became managing editor of the Irish People, a pro-liberation newspaper founded by James Stephens in Dublin. In 1865, he and several other Fenian leaders were arrested and charged with Treason-Felony for their revolutionary activities. Luby was sentenced to twenty years, first in Pentonville and then in Portland Prison. He served only six of those years, being pardoned in 1871 under the British government's general amnesty, on condition that he leave the United Kingdom and remain abroad for the duration of his sentence. Luby and his family moved to the United States, where he became a freelance journalist, poet and lecturer on Irish freedom. He wrote several books, including the Life of Daniel O'Connell represented here in this collection. He also became active in Clann na Gael and the Irish Confederation, raising funds and promoting the cause of Irish freedom. He died in 1901, in Jersey City, New Jersey. In 1959, an elaborate remembrance ceremony was held at his graveside.
Thomas Clarke Luby was married to Letitia Fraser Luby, whose father, John D. Fraser, was a noted pro-freedom poet. They had four children, three of whom, John, James and Katherine, survived to adulthood. Katherine's daughter, Florence Maurice, eventually left the collection to the Stouffer family.
The Thomas Clarke Luby Papers consist of four feet of materials contained in four boxes, spanning the history of the Luby family, from 1807 to 1959. They are divided into eight series: 1) Publications; 2) Newspaper Clippings; 3) Miscellaneous; 4) Personal Writings and Addresses; 5) Photographs; 6) Certificates and Legal Documents; 7) Correspondence and 8) Drawings and Sketches, most relating to the private and professional lives of the Luby and Fraser family, and some to Thomas Clarke Luby's political activities and criminal record.
The Publications series contains ten items, all books, most published in the nineteenth century. These publications were presumably all owned by the Luby family. This series is composed of mostly novels, history and biographical works, with an ornate, well-preserved copy of Life of Daniel O'Connell by Thomas Clarke Luby himself.
The Newspaper Clippings series consists of a folder of article clippings, poems and obituaries, as well as a description of the 1959 memorial ceremony held at Thomas Clarke's graveside. Dates range from 1901 to 1959, though many are undated.
The Miscellaneous series contains eight items, dating from 1830 to 1920, with most undated. Of perhaps the greatest interest, the series contains a large wax ceremonial seal. The meaning behind this seal is unclear, but it may have something to do with the Fenian Brotherhood.
The Personal Writings and Addresses series consists of nine items, manuscripts created by the Luby family, and public addresses given by James Luby. Two sermons by Reverend James Luby are dated in the 1830s; the rest are undated.
The Photographs series contains two black-and-white photographs, both of Thomas Clarke Luby, both undated.
The Certificates and Legal Documents series ranges from 1813 to 1920, and contains certificates and official documents relating to the Luby and Fraser family. Perhaps most importantly, it contains documents relating to Thomas Clarke's criminal record and time as convict, including his pardon.
The Correspondence series is divided into seven folders according to addressee, dating between 1807 and 1926, with many undated. The Thomas Clarke Luby folder contains correspondence from fellow Fenians concerning his revolutionary activities.
The eighth series, Drawings and Sketches, is housed in its original cardboard portfolio and consists mostly of Irish landscapes drawn in pencil and ink, some dated between 1835-1838, most undated. None are signed.
The Thomas Clarke Luby Papers consists of 8 series:
None
Irish Home Rule Political Cartoons Collection
Irish Repeal Campaign Cartoons Collection
John Luddy Notebooks
This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Donated to the American Catholic History Research Center and University Archives by Mr. Scott E. Stouffer in 2003.
Processing completed in September 2011 by Rose Strickman. EAD markup completed in October 2011 by Rose Strickman.
Books owned and written by Thomas Clarke Luby and his family.
Includes handwritten note from Thomas Clarke to son James on flyleaf, dated Christmas 18?8
Large, ornate, in very good condition.
Article clippings, most concerning Irish issues, and poems by John D. Fraser, Luby's father-in-law, published in the Dublin newspaper The Nation. Obituaries for Thomas Clarke Luby, Letitia Fraser Luby, and John F. Luby. Descriptions of the 1959 graveside ceremony for Thomas Clarke Luby.
Items that could not be placed in any of the other series.
Manuscripts created by the Luby family, and public addresses given by James Luby.
Also represented in the Newspaper Clippings series.
Labeled "Thomas Clarke Luby" on the back.
Labeled "T.C. Luby" on the back.
Certificates and official documents relating to the Luby and Fraser family, including Thomas Clarke's pardon and other documents relating to his criminal record.
Written in Latin.
Written in Latin.
Personal and professional correspondence to and from the Luby and Maurice family, including two letters addressed to Solomon Metcalfe (who Solomon Metcalfe was, and how the Luby family came to possess his letters, is not clear). Envelopes are stored with corresponding letters whenever possible; empty envelopes are found in Folder 8.
Who Solomon Metcalfe was, or how the Luby family came to possess his letters, is unclear.
Includes correspondence from fellow Fenians.
Letter dates back to Thomas Clarke Luby's childhood; the true identity of "The Old Witch" is uknown.
Includes note to James Luby.
Includes official prison correspondence while her husband was jailed, and possible correspondence from Fenians.
Includes Letitia Fraser's response.
Includes permission slip to visit Thomas Clarke Luby in prison.
Written in French and appears to be official invitation to a national French ceremony.
Official business related to British War Commission.
Official invitation to welcome the British War Commission.
Official business related to the Imperial Japanese Commission.
The identity of Mrs. ? Luby is unclear, but she may be Thomas Clarke Luby's mother.
Includes Katherine Luby Maurice's reply.
Includes order form for The Book of St. Ultan.
Over a dozen drawings and sketches, drawn in ink or pencil, mostly depicting the Irish landscape. Some are drawn on the back of manuscripts or cartoons.